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Owen Williams suffered 'significant' spinal injury

Wales Owen Williams is tackled by Tonga's Siale Piutau during the Dove Men Series match at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Friday November 22, 2013. See PA Story RUGBYU Wales. Photo credit should read: David Dav

CARDIFF Blues and Wales centre Owen Williams has suffered a 'significant injury to his cervical vertebrae and spinal cord'.

The 22-year-old sustained the injury while playing for the Cardiff Blues in Singapore during the inaugural World Club 10s on Sunday.

The Welsh region confirmed that Williams, who has been capped four times, underwent surgery on Monday to stabilise a fracture and is recovering in hospital ahead of a return home.

"The family of Owen Williams are now at his bedside along with senior Blues management and medical staff," read a statement.

"Arrangements are currently being made to co-ordinate his safe transfer home at an appropriate time.

"Cardiff Blues and the Williams family would like to thank the many hundreds of well-wishers who have offered messages of support."

Williams was injured in a third and fourth place play-off game between the Blues and Asia Pacific Dragons, which took place at Singapore National Stadium.

Support has flooded in for the centre on twitter with well-wishers using the hashtag #StayStrongForOws.

Williams has received messages of support on social media from international team-mates like Alex Cuthbert, Jamie Roberts, George North, Dan Lydiate, Ken Owens and Josh Turnbull, in addition to Australia back-row star David Pocock.

His brother Gavin, a Welsh Rugby Union participation officer, tweeted: "So emotional reading all the support. It's overwhelming. In the hospital next to my brother - He's a warrior."

Williams made his Test debut against Japan last summer and scored against Tonga at the Millennium Stadium last autumn.

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